This book examines the subject of Development Finance, or more specifically how financial systems can help or hinder the process of human development. As an expert in this field, Stephen Spratt reviews the components of the domestic and international financial systems, and considers reform options objectively against the central goal of human development. The result is a combination of orthodox and more innovative approaches, which provides a thorough grounding in development finance theory and practice in the 21st century. Topics covered in the book include: The Millennium Development Goals Financial crises and international capital flows The role of the private sector Microfinance. Focusing on the roles of the World Bank and the IMF and with a host of case studies and real world examples from Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as the "transition" economies of Eastern Europe, the author examines developing countries' engagement with the international financial system and its influence on the process of human development, both positive and negative.

This book examines the subject of Development Finance, or more specifically how financial systems can help or hinder the process of human development. As an expert in this field, Stephen Spratt reviews the components of the domestic and international financial systems, and considers reform options objectively against the central goal of human development. The result is a combination of orthodox and more innovative approaches, which provides a thorough grounding in development finance theory and practice in the 21st century. Topics covered in the book include:

The Millennium Development Goals

Financial crises and international capital flows

The role of the private sector

Microfinance.

Focusing on the roles of the World Bank and the IMF and with a host of case studies and real world examples from Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as the "transition" economies of Eastern Europe, the author examines developing countries’ engagement with the international financial system and its influence on the process of human development, both positive and negative.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Financial System in Theory and in Practice. Chapter 2: Finance, Poverty, Development and Growth. Chapter 3: Financial Repression, Liberalisation and Growth. Chapter 4: The Domestic Financial System: An Overview. Chapter 5: Reforming the Domestic Financial System: Options and Issues. Chapter 6: The External Financial System: Characteristics and Trends. Chapter 7: The External Financial System (2): Debt and Financial Crises. Chapter 8: The International Financial Architecture: Evolution, Key Features and Proposed Reforms. Chapter 9: Development Finance and the Private Sector: Driving the Real Economy. Chapter 10: Finance for Development: What Do We Know?